Health Insurance and Military Coverage

TRICARE is the health care program serving active duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, retirees, their families, survivors, and certain former spouses. If you are eligible for TRICARE coverage, you may enroll the children in your care. Children in your care include your children, step-children, and any other child for whom you are the legal guardian.

Active and Retired Service Members of Uniformed Services

Active and retired service members of the uniformed services are eligible for TRICARE. The uniformed services include the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard, Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, and the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

Members of the National Guard and Reserves

Family members are eligible for TRICARE health insurance after the service member has been activated for 30 days.

If you are ordered to provide health care coverage for your children and your current insurance policy will be ending during your deployment period, you can enroll your children in TRICARE. Please contact your nearest TRICARE center for information and the necessary forms in order to obtain medical coverage for your children.

If your civilian employer maintains your health insurance coverage during your deployment, the Department of Defense advises that you keep this coverage effective. Once you return to civilian employment, your dependents are no longer eligible for benefits through the military.

Retired Members of the National Guard and Reserves

When you retire and reach the age of 60, you and your family are eligible for TRICARE.